Pope Leo XIV undergoes lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV is recovering from surgery to remove a tumor from his right lung, which was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. The 71-year-old pontiff underwent the procedure on October 13. While subsequent tests indicate no further treatment is necessary, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s foreign minister, described the diagnosis as a “game-changer” for the papacy, noting it serves as a reminder of the Pope’s mortality.

Despite the recent surgery, the Vatican confirmed that the Pope will proceed with his scheduled trip to Latin America from November 6 to 17. The itinerary includes visits to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, covering approximately 31,000 kilometers via multiple flights and helicopter rides. The trip is significant due to the Pope's former role as a missionary priest in Peru.